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Shane Tuck dead at 38: Footy reacts to tragic passing of Richmond warrior

The AFL has been left “devastated” by the sudden death of Richmond stalwart Shane Tuck, who was a beloved son of footy royalty.

Tyson OttoTyson Otto
@tottodtsport
6 min read
July 21, 2020 - 6:30PM
Shane Tuck has died.
Shane Tuck has died.

The AFL community is mourning the shock death of Richmond Tigers warrior Shane Tuck who died on Monday aged 38.

The devastating news has rocked the sporting world with tributes flooding in. Tuck is survived by wife Kat and children Will and Ava.

A Daily Mail report on Tuesday indiciates Tuck had fought and ultimately lost a long-running battle with depression.

A 173-game veteran for the Tigers, Tuck followed in his famous father Michael’s footsteps into the AFL. Michael Tuck long held the VFL/AFL games record until Brett Harvey surpassed his record of 426 games in 2016.

RELATED: A footy royal who was handed nothing

While Shane Tuck was originally drafted as the 24th pick of the 2000 Rookie Draft to Hawthorn — the club his father played all his games for — he was released in 2002 before reviving his career in the SANFL and being picked up by the Tigers with the 74th pick of the 2003 National Draft.

He quickly became a key player in Richmond’s midfield over a decade, until his retirement in 2013.

With his father one of the legends of the game, Tuck was well ingrained in the football community. His brother, Travis, played for Hawthorn, while his mother, Fay, is the sister of Geelong legend Gary Ablett, making Gary Ablett Jnr his cousin.

FOOTY WORLD PAYS TRIBUTE

Shane Tuck at the MCG.
Shane Tuck at the MCG.

Former teammate and Richmond star Jack Riewoldt led the tributes for Tuck during a scheduled radio appearance on SEN.

“To have the news drop today that the man that we know and love known as Tucky has passed away, it’s really hard to put it into words. It’s a really sad day for the football club,” Riewoldt said just minutes after the tragic news was first reported.

“He became a cult figure. People loved him. He was obviously the son of a very famous footballer, but you could see he was brought up to be respectful. He would always have the time to talk to people. He was a people’s person.

“He was an absolute crowd favourite. He did things that Richmond people loved. He was hard. He was tough. You always walked taller when you had Shane Tuck playing next to you.

“He was one of those players you’d love to spend time with because there’d always be a story to come out of it … he was a footballer’s footballer.”

Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett also posted a devastated message on Twitter. “So saddened by the passing of Shane Tuck,” Bartlett wrote.

“We had some lovely conversations in the past as I was an admirer of the way he played with such commitment. When my daughter worked at Richmond she would always say he was the nicest person. Thinking of the Tuck family. RIP Shane.”

Tuck’s former coach Terry Wallace described Tuck as a “very, very loveable person”.

“I coached 99 games at Richmond and there was only one player who played in all 99 games alongside of me and that was Tucky,” Wallace told SEN Radio on Monday.

Terry Wallace and Shane Tuck.
Terry Wallace and Shane Tuck.

“It’s just devastating news and I feel so much for the family, his teammates and those around him.

“He was such a lovely guy. I couldn’t speak more volumes about him. He was the typical country lad.

“Such a loyal guy, he couldn’t have been any more loyal to me.

“A very, very, loveable person and one of the great characters around that football club at the time.

“During my time there it wasn’t easy but Tucky just kept fronting up week in, week out and doing what he did.”

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The tragic news has left the footy community devastated.

“Thoughts with the Tuck and extended family tonight,” Tigers champion Matthew Richardson said. “As a teammate Shane gave everything. What more can u ask.”

Rest In Peace Great Man! One of the hardest at it I’ve played with

Long-serving Tigers player Shaun Grigg added: “RIP Tucky. Forever a Richmond man.”

Brett Deledio: “Rest In Peace Great Man! One of the hardest at it I’ve played with.”

Brendan Fevola: “Will never forget our glory days in junior footy always lace out. Sending my love to Micheal, Fay, Renae and Travis. Kat, Will and Ava. RIP Tucky.”

Craig Lambert: “Shocking news of the passing of Shane Tuck, played the game with the passion & heart that is rare. Condolences to all the Tuck family.”

HAWKS AND TIGERS SADDENED

Hawthorn Football Club president Jeff Kennett and Richmond Football Club CEO Brendan Gale both confirmed the terrible news.

Hawthorn released a brief statement on Monday afternoon to extend their condolences to the Tuck family.

Hawks president Jeff Kennett said in the statement: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Shane.

“There are few words that we can express at this time, other than to convey our devout sadness and sympathy to the Tuck family.

“The Board of Directors, Past Players and Officials Association, management, staff and players of Hawthorn Football Club extend their sincerest condolences to Shane’s parents Michael and Fay, his wife Kat, children Will and Ava, and the extended Tuck family.”

Shane Tuck after playing his last game for the Tigers in 2013. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN
Shane Tuck after playing his last game for the Tigers in 2013. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN

Richmond also released a statement from chief executive Brendan Gale.

“We’re incredibly saddened by the news of Shane’s passing, he will be missed enormously by everyone,” Gale said.

“We send our deepest condolences to Shane’s family and loved ones – his wife Kat, children Will and Ava, parents Michael and Fay, and the extended Tuck family.

“Shane was a warrior on the field, giving everything to the team each week, and a humble, fun-loving person off the field.”

Tuck was a hard-nosed midfielder and during his career at Richmond finished in the club’s best and fairest top 10 seven times, with a best finish of second in 2008 and was awarded life membership at the Tigers in 2012.

He played in just one final in his career, his final game with the club in the 2013 elimination final against Carlton.

The Tigers will also wear black armbands in honour of Tuck when they play the GWS Giants in Sydney on Friday night.

‘BURDEN’ OF BEING SON OF A FOOTY LEGEND

Tuck played his junior footy with the Dandenong Stingrays. After being listed by the Hawks but failing to break through into Hawthorn’s starting side, he moved to SANFL club West Adelaide where he made his senior debut.

His form with West Adelaide won him a re-call to the AFL with the Tigers where he went on to kick 74 goals.

He said after retiring that he found it difficult to deal with the spotlight and the constant comparisons with his father.

Shane (top left) with father Michael, sister Renee and brother Travis in 1990. Picture: DARREN TINDALE
Shane (top left) with father Michael, sister Renee and brother Travis in 1990. Picture: DARREN TINDALE
Playing for the Hawks reserves in 1999. Picture: Stuart Milligan/ALLSPORT
Playing for the Hawks reserves in 1999. Picture: Stuart Milligan/ALLSPORT
Shane and Michael Tuck.
Shane and Michael Tuck.

“In the early days I did find it a bit of a burden,’’ he said in 2014.

“Everyone was saying “oh, you’re going to be as good as your dad’ and putting massive expectations on me.

“When I was young I didn’t think I could reach the heights of the old man and as a kid you don’t really think straight sometimes.

“I let things like that affect me too much and it was a burden. It was only when I got older that I really learnt to be proud of dad for his achievements.”

His mother, Fay, spoke of her pride in how Shane and his brother Travis had made it to the big league despite the expectations placed on them.

“I’m just proud of our two boys because they’ve done it the hard way. They didn’t get the silver spoon in their hand,” she said in 2008.

“People think, ‘Oh because they’re Michael Tuck’s sons they get an easy ride’, but it’s been the opposite, actually.”

Tuck turned to boxing after retiring from footy in 2013 and had a series of professional fights, including in front of a massive crowd at the Adelaide Oval on the undercard of Danny Green’s rematch with Anthony Mundine in 2017.

He decided to hang up the gloves at the end of 2017 after a draw with Steve Roberts at the Melbourne Pavilion, finishing his career with a record of three wins (one via knockout), one draw and one loss.

Shane Tuck defeated Ivan Kolar in Adelaide.
Shane Tuck defeated Ivan Kolar in Adelaide.

SHANE TUCK’S SPORTING CAREER

AFL career: 

Son of Hawthorn great Michael Tuck and brother of Hawthorn player Travis Tuck

Drafted: 24th in 2000 Rookie Draft by Hawthorn, 73rd in 2003 National Draft by Richmond

AFL Debut: 2004

Final game: 2013 Elimination Final Richmond Vs Carlton

Games Played: 173

Goals Scored: 74

He finished in the top 10 in Richmond’s annual best and fairest award seven times

Boxing career:

Boxing Debut: 2015

Boxing Record: 3-1 (1 Draw)

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/shane-tuck-dead-afl-club-hawthorn-confirms-greats-death/news-story/90ae4b4b2db2e271b29d43524eb41cfd